Latest news with #AreaCommittee
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Four hardcore Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district
In a major success for anti-LWE operations in central India, four notorious Maoists surrendered before security forces in Gariaband district, marking a significant setback for the insurgent network active in the region. Among those who laid down arms was Deepak a.k.a. Bhima Mandavi, a divisional committee member (DVCM) with a reward of Rs 8 lakh. The total bounty on the surrendered cadres stood at Rs 19 lakh, senior police officials said. The other three included Kailash a.k.a. Bhima Bhogam, a member of the Protection Team; Ranita a.k.a. Paiki, an Area Committee member; and Sujita a.k.a. Uren Karam. With rewards ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, all four had been active in the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada Division since 2013. Acting on Intelligence shared by the surrendered Maoists, security forces recovered Rs 16 lakh in cash from suspected hideouts. The operation also yielded 31 live cartridges, two empty magazines, detonators, eight BGL rounds, 12 bore ammunition, and a trove of Maoist literature believed to be used for indoctrination and recruitment. Their surrender is being seen as a strategic breakthrough, especially in the wake of recent setbacks suffered by the Maoists organisation, said the officials. Based on information provided by the surrendered cadres, security forces recovered Rs 16 lakh in cash, 31 live cartridges, two empty magazines, eight BGL rounds, detonators, 12 bore ammunition, and a cache of Maoist literature. Officials believe the cash was part of the group's operational funding, hidden in forested hideouts to support logistics and recruitment. The development comes months after a high-impact offensive in January 2025, when 16 Maoists — including Central Committee member Jairam alias Chalpathi—were killed in a joint operation near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. That operation, backed by drone surveillance and coordinated intelligence, has since triggered a visible breakdown in the Maoist command structure. Raipur Range IG Amarendra Mishra and IG Naxal Operations Ankit Garg, confirmed that the organisation is facing a deepening crisis. The financial and leadership vacuum has accelerated the pace of surrenders. Cadres are demoralised and increasingly choosing to abandon the movement, Mishra said. Security agencies believe the cumulative impact of leadership losses, financial disruption, and sustained pressure is pushing more Maoists toward surrender. With each defection, the operational grip of the insurgents continues to loosen—offering a measure of relief to communities long caught in the crossfire. The latest surrender not only weakens the Maoist infrastructure but also signals a shift in morale, suggesting that the state's strategy of coordinated action and rehabilitation is beginning to yield results.
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
West Lothian still clearing away damage from Storm Eowyn four months on
West Lothian Council received more than 1,300 calls about storm damaged trees from January to the end of March this year. Work is still being done to clear up the damage caused by Storm Eowyn in the worst hit area of West Lothian, almost four months after the devastating weather event. West Lothian Council received more than 1,300 calls about storm damaged trees from January to the end of March this year. And more than 300 calls - the highest in the county - came from southern Livingston after Storm Eowyn swept through. David Lees, Cleaner communities manager, gave an update four months after the storm and said: 'All areas are now open but there's still work to carried out to complete the tidy up.' Contractors brought in to help with Ash Dieback cutting had spent most of February and March diverted to help the arbor teams clear fallen and dangerous trees. Councillors on the Livingston South Local Area Committee heard in a report from Mr Lees: 'The two areas which were the most affected where the highest reports were submitted were Livingston North 272 and Livingston South 303, with East Livingston and East Calder 172. This was based on enquiries between 24 January and 31 March. 'Following Storm Eowyn which affected West Lothian on 24 January 2025 there were 1,354 enquiries raised regarding tree damage, either uprooted trees or windblown trees with the potential to fall up to 31 March.' Of those calls 370 (27%) of these enquiries were raised within the first 24 hours. Mr Lees added: 'To effectively manage the volume of reports the service triaged each enquiry and allocated a red, amber or green status so the Arbor Team could deal with emergencies first which included blocked roads, damage to property, blocked footpaths and danger to life and limb.' Safety patrols were carried out at Linhouse and Murieston by the Ranger Service in the days following with both fallen and dangerous trees identified and recorded and access managed through signage and barriers. Councillor Maria MacAulay asked: ' I know the trees have been made safe but does that mean that all the potentially damaged trees have been dealt with?' Mr Lees replied: 'At the moment we have been dealing with the trees that have come down, blocked paths and cause problems but we will be going out to all areas to see if there are trees that cause concern that they need to deal with.' The report to the committee added: 'Our country parks were also badly affected and the decision was taken to close the parks while assessment of the damage was undertaken by the Rangers and arbor teams. Areas were sealed off to the public due to health and safety risks and work is still being completed on our woodlands to remove any damaged trees.' Ash Dieback removal at Howden West Road, near St Johns Hospital, was postponed to divert resources on to storm works. This work started at the end of April.
Deccan Herald
24-04-2025
- Deccan Herald
14 Maoists surrender before police in Telangana
The Maoists belonging to different cadres, including two Area Committee Members (ACMs) surrendered before the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Multi Zone-I, S Chandrashekhar Reddy, at Warangal Police Commissionerate, an official release said.
